24 Cities, 49 Days, 8,598 Miles
Published July 02, 2009 @ 12:31PM PT
Just because you don't have a home, doesn't mean you don't have a voice, a story, a plan, or hopes for a better future.
Mark Horvath, of InvisiblePeople.tv and contributing editor here at Change.org, has helped people across the world understand this important lesson by bringing the voices of those without a home to the web. Working with him and featuring his stories here at Change.org has been a real honor, and I hope his videos have opened your eyes.
This summer, I'm excited to announce that he's bringing his project to an entirely new level. Here are the details:
This summer, InvisiblePeople.tv is traveling across America to capture the stories of people without a home. By visiting tent cities, motels, and other modern-day accommodations for people without a home, this tour will unearth the modern-day realities of homelessness while providing a venue for "invisible" people to tell their story, raw and unedited.
InvisiblePeople.tv Great American Road Trip will stop at roughly 20 cities and communities across the country (subject to change). A local homeless service provider will be arranged to serve as a "guide." Local and national media outreach and speaking engagements will be a key component of each stop along the tour.
Homeless people from Reno to Raleigh have stories that need to be heard, faces that need to be seen. Here's how you can get involved:
- Know of a tent city, shelter or other organization Mark should visit? Let us know. Here's Mark's tentative itinerary (with dates). Leave a comment below so we can get in touch or email Mark at roadtrip [at] invisiblepeople [dot] tv.
- Make donation through Paypal. Cover a tank of gas, a week of meals, or become an official sponsor. Your support is crucial to keeping the tour rolling throughout the summer.
- Spread the word. We'll feature all of the interviews and stories from this tour here on the site. Help us raise the level of understanding about the reality of homelessness in America.
The tour kicks off in less than two weeks. These stories need to be told. Will you help make it happen?
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Comments (29)
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Author
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Shannon has worked in homeless shelters and service organizations in San Francisco, the Triangle region of North Carolina, and currently in the greater Boston area. She is a graduate student studying housing and urban policy at Tufts University.
Home is a basic Right. Ignoring this basic Right should be accepted as a criminal act. Only then Homelessness will end.
Prof.Fani Bhusan DAs
Posted by Prof.Fani Bhusan Das on 07/02/2009 @ 10:52PM PT
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Actually, sir, home is not a 'right' it is an earned privilege. Our basic right includes the "Pursuit of happiness" it does not guarantee a house, car, cell phone, the latest Nike shoes or anything else ... our freedoms and rights allow us the opportunities to attain such things and to help others in their efforts to obtain them for themselves. Nothing good ever comes from handouts. Homelessness will end when people start working for themselves and the government stops promoting a welfare state!
Posted by n j on 07/03/2009 @ 10:00AM PT
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Even my very conservative family are not delusional enough to believe that homelessness is caused by handouts and refusal to work. In a nation where corporate America and the Bush regime got away with destroying the economic infrastructure and millions of lives, it is high time we took serious action to end homelessness and hunger. The Invisible People project sounds like a highly worthwhile effort. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta
Posted by Rev Bookburn on 07/03/2009 @ 03:50PM PT
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Sir have you ever spent a week talking to homeless people? I have. So many disabilities living on the streets. During the time I worked at a program for the homeless I saw few people come through the doors that could work a full day and a complete week. Some of the disabilities were mental and/or physical illnesses, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse. Most of the time these were in combination. Things have changed a bit over the past 10 years, but when I visit the local soup kitchen I still see the same type of people, if not the same people I knew over 10 years ago. I see some of the guys collecting cans out by the highway. Social Services wont help them because they can't document the income they recieve from the can's deposits. They answered truthfully when asked how they supported themselves prior to applying for assistance, ie. food stamps, medicaid, or "benifit" money (that jumpstart that would allow these people to be clean, awake, and appropriatly dressed for work). Ever try to wash your body in a public restroom? How can you sleep peacfully in an insecure place, like an abandoned building, or an empty lot, or a park bench where it is guarenteed someone will roust you before you're rested? Where do you go to releave yourself in the middle of the night? How can a person live like this and hide it? Who would want their co-workers to know they had no where to go after work? How does your boss or a potential job get a hold of you? How can someone save up the money it takes to rent an apartment while having to spend so much to live on the streets, or in a motel room? Do you know which is more expensive? Do you know what it costs to live in your car? How do you keep warm or cool? Since you have no place to cook or any cold storage for leftovers, where do your meals come from? These are some questions most people never think to ask.
Posted by Grace E Graham on 07/03/2009 @ 09:30PM PT
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Actually Sir, the first step in bumping your status up to 'perfect' may be a fact check (moral deficiencies notwithstanding). Some of the other responses have given you an insight into the reality of the situation of which you are obviously unaware. But it seems to me that your interest is in putting reality and morality on the back burners while we simply speak of legality. And to that I invite you to do your research. Take a look at the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (both documents of international LAW) and you will find that your position on the right of 'home' is both incorrect and shortsighted.
Posted by Emma Lazar on 07/04/2009 @ 04:46AM PT
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Ah I have learned so much since joining this site a few days ago. I have learned that the ones that insist on everyone having 'open minds' are only interested in minds that agree with them. I have learned that there is a sad lack of knowledge among 'the enlightened'. I have learned that there is still the pathetic resopnse of 'blame Bush' when one has nothing more to say. I have learned that if you disagree with a comment on here - your reply will be removed. I have learned that some judge far too quickly what another might or might not know since there is very little information about one's background here. I have learned that some on here care more about 'international law' more than our own sovereignty and laws. I have learned where the downfall of our great nation begins.
Posted by n j on 07/04/2009 @ 07:24AM PT
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I am sorry but did you not start this chain here by disagreeing with Prof.Fani Buhsan DAs' comment and pushing your beliefs? Which, I for one agree with Prof.Fani Buhsan DAs. A home should be a right. There are so many unexpected tragedies and just plain unfortunate events that can happen to people. But you still need a place of safety. A home is much more necessary than a car, cell phone, the latest Nike shoes or pretty much anything else. So before YOU judge too quickly, gather some information yourself and you might learn that the downfall of our country will be caused by people who refuse to have an open mind and won't actually take a look at what cause the problems in this country and try to correct them by helping each other and not being selfish. This is the UNITED states of america, right? Then why does every body refuse to unite?
Posted by jenique kasai on 07/06/2009 @ 11:49AM PT
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Homelessness are what the European's did to the American indians took their homes away. It is not only a person without a place to call home but is displacement such as Darfur. It can be caused by a number of circumstances poverty one of the top causes but it is also a state of mind. Not belonging a disengagement from society. It is a form of "them not us" a distrust, hatred, fear of each other. Discrimination against people without resources with resources become less bountiful there is less to share.
Posted by Adam Hartmann on 07/06/2009 @ 01:55PM PT
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I was homeless for about two years in Sacramento, Ca. I would like to add that we have about 6 shelters all listed in the phone book. We also have a tent city that has been on the national news. It was evacuated and they are going to install regular camp ground features such as showers and water spigots to the camps. We also have people sleeping under all of the roof overhangs up town. (Capitol Area) (Uptown Area) We also have people sleeping in all of the areas along the river.
I hope this helps you if you come to Sacramento. You can e-mail me at MaryHamlett@hotmail.com if you do and ask me any questions you have.
Posted by Mary Hamlett on 07/06/2009 @ 06:11PM PT
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You guys.... Do Not Feed the Trolls.... ;)
Posted by Moi Bloggg on 07/09/2009 @ 07:24AM PT
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Hey Mark, way to go!
As a roadie who's been on the backroads for the past 4 years chronicling stories of invisible homeless families and youth, I applaud your efforts and hope I run into (well, not crash) you along the way.
Let me know if you need any RV tips!! Safe travels...
Diane
Posted by HEAR US on 07/03/2009 @ 07:19AM PT
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hey, ifyou going to be speaking in Tampa, I'd like to be there, do you have a location set down yet?
Posted by William Lee on 07/03/2009 @ 04:30PM PT
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Congrats Mark, I admire what you are doing. I live in Ontario, California and we have a small tent city near the Ontario Airport. Ontario is on your way to Los Angeles, I can help arrange a meeting with the people who are trying to help our unfortunate homeless. I have dropped off blankets and donated food and gift cards during Christmas and would like to help out anyway I can. You can read about Ontario's tent city in the Daily Bulletin or L.A. Times, at one time there were hundreds of people, some came even from Florida.
Again thanks,
Sheri
Posted by Sheri Sevilla on 07/03/2009 @ 06:49PM PT
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Brilliant Mark, heartily applaud you for this visionary and courageous trip and campaign.
It's an honour to have met you through twitter. The world needs more people like you.
Jackie
Posted by Jackie Carpenter on 07/04/2009 @ 05:16AM PT
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Mike Murray is a Kansas homeless man who has been staying with our nonprofit historic preservation organzation and volunteering from time to time for about 15 years. He lives under bridges, crashes with friends, sleeps in overflows and stays in our simple room erratically. Occasionally an agency gets him an apartment but they don't understand him well, and he soon moves on. This toothless, umkempt man is a college graduate, majoring in psychology. He was a Golden Gloves boxer in his youth and won 50 fights wouthout training. Today he can still burst into song with the most increidble middle barriton voice you can ever imagine. His dream is to have the world listen to him sing just once. Is there anyway you can come to Harper KS in south central Kansas, 40 miles SW of Wichita, or could we send him on the bus to Dallas so he can tell his story and sing a few phrases? He is 63 years old (For such a harsh life, he looks an amazing ten years younger!) and this would be his dream of a lifetime! He sang karaoke once in Wichita and the crowd burst into applause within the first couple of minutes--yes, he's that good! What a great goodwill Ambassador for you!
Rosalea Hostetler
Please write me at: wepreserve@balmerfund.org
620.896.7566 (phone not working right and in the boondocks, it takes while to get things fixed!)
Posted by Rosalea Hostetler on 07/04/2009 @ 08:07AM PT
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Dear Mark,
May God bless you abundantly for the outstanding work you do!
Thank you, Jeannie
Posted by Jeannie Gibbons on 07/04/2009 @ 09:36AM PT
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Thank you Mark for the work you are doing. Maybe more people will understand what's its like to be homeless. Many blessing to you and my brothers and sisters that you are given a voice.
Posted by I C on 07/04/2009 @ 01:15PM PT
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"Actually, sir, home is not a 'right' it is an earned privilege. Our basic right includes the "Pursuit of happiness" it does not guarantee a house, car, cell phone, the latest Nike shoes or anything else ... our freedoms and rights allow us the opportunities to attain such things and to help others in their efforts to obtain them for themselves. Nothing good ever comes from handouts. Homelessness will end when people start working for themselves and the government stops promoting a welfare state!"
Having a place to lay your head should be a right, I think the gentleman who made the comment abot home being a right, to me meant making it possible. What about all the homeless veterans who were left with nothing? What about all the tent cities that were removed? What about the people who have a job and a place to live, then get laied off and can't pay their rent or mortgages anymore? Banks aren't going to let you go without a foreclosure, landlords aren't going to let you go with out an eviction. Right there that makes it hard to get in anywhere else...no home/no job/no money... so what is this family now supposed to do?! Live on the streets or shelter where you aren't guaranteed a spot, while dad or mom look for a job. We all know that finding a job is not easy, especially now...and you say no welfare? Are you effing crazy? You think the world is crazed now? It's there to help those who are in need...yes you have many who abuse the system, fuck them! Because there are many who do not and it's not fair to children who do not have a choice! Most who are on welfare have had jobs and their money was taxed just like everyone so who are you or anyone to look down your nose at someone who needs help?! You are only looking at those who want and live off or handouts but what about the families who don't?! You have hard workers who live in hotels alone or with their families because they can't find a home for a number of reasons, one of them, not being able to save money because the cost of the room drinks ot up. You wrote: "Homelessness will end when people start working for themselves and the government stops promoting a welfare state!" I ask you once again...what about those who do?! Is there a difference? You are disgustingly wrong...homelessness will end when college tuition is more affordable and more jobs are availible in all levels of the work force and people are paid fairly for the work they do and reasons for evictions and foreclosures are taken into consideration.
Posted by Satty Monroe on 07/04/2009 @ 03:08PM PT
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6 years ago I had a good job and a nice home I'd lived in for over 20 years.I lost my job and ended up homeless.If not for the love of my family I would have been on the streets.I was not familiar with the things that were happening and my life hit an all time low.I understand the hopelessness and the grief that homelessness brings and God bless you Mark for the attention you are bringing to this.There should be no homelessness in this country- it goes against everything we stand for.
Posted by Kelly Rogers on 07/04/2009 @ 03:50PM PT
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not perfect, just right!
I'd like to know if you've ever had $25 on Monday morning 6am, have three children and a spouse, no gas in your car, down to one loaf of bread, and a half eaten pack of bologna to feed that family, and your next payday is the up coming Friday? Your last check (three days ago) was BARELY! enough to catch up on your needed bills and give your landlord the REST! of the rent? Not to mention on that last paycheck you put in 70 hours in a single week?! Have you?! Now do all that, living in a hotel that costs anywhere from(the cheapest) $30-$80 per day not including food and toiletries! Since you know everything...fix it!
Posted by Satty Monroe on 07/04/2009 @ 07:33PM PT
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Satty I can feel your pain. I too was in that position due to a car accident the other person's fault and was in your shoes. People really don't understand, with no affordable housing, bad credit due to eviction its hard to get back on your feet. My prayer for you is that you and yours will be in better circumtances soon. God bless you
Posted by Mary Ann Thompson on 07/16/2009 @ 02:32PM PT
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Mark - Glad to see/hear you are doing this homelessness grand tour. Growing tent cities in America while banks and municipalities fret about the cost of maintaining empty homes they own but are unwilling to sell? Perhaps we should start calling these encampments Obamavilles (a riff of the Great Depression's Hoovervilles) to shame junketeering politicians like the President into action. Eminent domain not to help wealthy developers get wealthier with their mega-developments, but to put homeless families in shelter? This latter would seem to be an eminently justifiable "public use" in the deepening crisis. Perhaps you can find a sponsor to distribute digital video cameras so homeless people can self-document and self-organize. Lastly, consider checking out the Howie Harp Multi-Service Center, San Pablo Avenue between 18th and 19th Streets, Oakland, CA 94612, for a less-sanitized than San Francisco homelessness experience.
Posted by John Torok on 07/04/2009 @ 08:46PM PT
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GOOD luck and God speed.
cant believe some of the comments...
would love to join your adventure...
Posted by John Campbell on 07/05/2009 @ 08:10AM PT
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Housing has been declared as a basic Right by UNO. "HOME" is House + Happy & Homogeneous Family. Without this no society can survive peacefully. That is why I said "Home be considered as a basic Right.
Prof.Fani Bhusan Das
Posted by Prof.Fani Bhusan Das on 07/05/2009 @ 11:03PM PT
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Hi,
A secretary at my school forwarded this email to me. I have been very interested in homeless causes for approx. 9 years. I have gotten my school system and community very involved in an ongoing way. Besides the collecting of clothes, blankets, food, supplies etc., last year I started a drive for pillows to be distributed to shelters,homeless,fire victims etc. The response was beyond anyones expectations. To date, we have delivered over 550 pillows and growing. If I/We can be of help in anyway, or you can be of help to our cause, please let me know. Keep up the much needed work! God bless!
Paula
Posted by paula ferrara on 07/07/2009 @ 09:31AM PT
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Phoenix Rescue Mission is happy to be a stop on Mark's tour. No matter what you think of the "issue" of homelessness, it's more than just a topic to debate - they are people.
Posted by Phoenix Rescue Mission on 07/07/2009 @ 03:51PM PT
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Great work Mark! We have been touring the country, empowering and connecting people without housing through their art and music (see www.heartsoffireproject.org) We are with you every step of the way.
Posted by Hearts of Fire Project on 07/10/2009 @ 10:58AM PT
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Howdy: Glad to see an End Homeless/Poverty Blog, with people talking. As a way of introduction I work at a non paid job preventing homelessness one family at a time.
At www.Hospitalityhousofmaine.org we also want to address the Causes of homelessness. From the thousand a year who call us "Poverty": seems like the main cause of homelessness. Yes some of our callers have mental problems. But no more than a government who by its own admission pays disabled people less than the cost of rents in 16 states.
And I know where the professor is located but he hit the problem bulls eye. The right to a home, to adequate income has been recognized since 1948. When the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human rights before leaving office, President Carter signed the compact, on Oct 30th 1977. Trick or treat.
The professor and I talk about treating people as if they are of value. I will be going to Kentucky to be at and maybe speak to others who want to abolish poverty.
America has enough money, we spend it on the homeless when they lose a leg to Frost bite. Come down sick because they are not eating correctly. Or they our exposed to the cold, or excessive heat
What we spend in tax money on heroic intervention could of prevented homelessness for 10 families. As a US Science study found the homeless were four time more likely to be injured, rape, become ill, then their house counter parts.
When we realize the radiance of each human being, we will recognize their rights to a safe home. To adequate income.
Posted by jan Lightfootlane on 07/12/2009 @ 07:34AM PT
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By the way there is a conference billed as taking up where MLK.Jr left off at Spalding Uiniversity in Louisville KY on July 16th-19th. Sound like you are not going to make it to Maine where I live-So if you are in the area, www. invisiblepeople.tv meet you in Kentucky.
Some people at the conference have been homeless, They know the problem is not just substance abuse, or mental illness, its being paid less than the cost of living. And now assist other homeless. The advocates with first hand knowledge, are too often voiceless themselves.
I Like to feed trolls. Sometimes, and you never can tell when or if they will see the light. But sometimes they become believers.
Posted by jan Lightfootlane on 07/12/2009 @ 08:08AM PT
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